Police Arrest Fake EFCC Operatives in Niger State for Kidnapping and Extortion

Niger State police arrested three individuals impersonating EFCC operatives for kidnapping and extortion of students in Lapai. Alongside them, two informants assisting in the crimes were apprehended. The suspects demanded ransom and used fake identification. In another case, police captured two drug dealers with substantial narcotics. Both operations underscore ongoing crime issues in the region.

Police in Niger State have rounded up three individuals masquerading as operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). The group was allegedly involved in a kidnapping and extortion scheme targeting students in Lapai. They were arrested alongside two others, believed to be their informants, who assisted in these unlawful acts.

According to a press release from SP Wasiu Abiodun, the Police Public Relations Officer, these incidents occurred on the evening of May 13, 2025, around 8:00 p.m. The suspects are said to have invaded an off-campus students’ lodge and kidnapped two students. They attempted to flee in a Toyota Corolla vehicle registered as ABJ 245 CU. One individual, identified as Alfa James, managed to escape and is currently at large.

During their questioning, the suspects confessed that their operations were set up by the two informants. They claimed that their illicit activities provided their main source of income. Furthermore, they admitted to brandishing three electric tasers, disguised as firearms, while entering one of the student rooms. In addition to abducting the students, they also stole five mobile phones during the incident.

They further confessed to initially demanding a ransom of ten million naira (₦10,000,000), which they negotiated down to five hundred thousand naira (₦500,000) before their arrest. Police investigations uncovered that the fake EFCC identification cards were printed in Nyanya, Abuja, with each card bearing the same fraudulent identification number, “1069.” Two informants, Mohammed Hassan and Hamisu Adamu, both from Angwan-Hausa, Lapai, were also apprehended during the operation.

Those informants are believed to have supplied student information to Emmanuel Linus, who has a previous record as a dismissed soldier and a criminal history. The police confirmed that the five suspects are presently being investigated at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) and are expected to face court proceedings upon the completion of their inquiries.

In a separate case, officers from the 61 PMF Kontagora apprehended two suspects involved in the illegal drug trade. Jimoh Adamu, 26, and Usman Abubakar, 26, were taken into custody on May 12, 2025, at around 10:00 p.m. as they were intercepted on a Bajaj motorcycle along Babban-Rami/Rafin-Gora road.

Upon search, authorities seized 327 wraps of cannabis, 38 packs of Emzol tablets, four sachets of tramadol, and cash totaling ₦291,200. Both suspects confessed, with Jimoh admitting to being a drug dealer and Usman acknowledging his role as an accomplice. As the investigation proceeds, SP Wasiu Abiodun indicated that the suspects would be referred to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further prosecution.

Finally, these incidents emphasize the ongoing issues surrounding crime and drug activities in the region. Law enforcement continues to conduct investigations and ensure that those involved in such unlawful acts are brought to justice.

In conclusion, the recent arrests of individuals posing as EFCC operatives highlight the dangers of extortion and kidnapping schemes targeting students in Niger State. With the continued efforts of law enforcement, there is hope for a reduction in such crimes. Additionally, the crackdown on illicit drug operations also points to the police’s commitment to combating drug-related issues within the region, ensuring that those involved face the legal consequences of their actions.

Original Source: tribuneonlineng.com